Regent University Commencement Information
Congratulations, Class of 2023!
Regent University holds an annual commencement at the end of the spring semester. This year’s commencement will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 9:15 a.m. EDT.
We are preparing a wonderful program that will honor the incredible achievements of each graduate. We are so proud of our Regent graduates, and we are thrilled to celebrate the Class of 2023!
Regent University’s Commissioning Services are considered sacred ceremonies. Graduates are invited to reflect and worship with their peers and be recognized for their academic achievement. Family members and close friends of our graduates are welcome to join this cherished and significant tradition. All times will follow the Eastern Daylight Time zone for Virginia Beach, VA. Click here to view the Regent campus map.
Click the links below to watch the video stream:
Thursday, May 4th
The School of Divinity Commissioning and Walking
9:00 AM – 11:30 AM ET
Library Plaza
The School of Communication & the Arts Commissioning and Walking
12:00 PM – 2:30 PM EST
Shaw Chapel
The School of Education Commissioning and Walking
4:00 PM – 6:30 PM ET
Shaw Chapel
The School of Business & Leadership Commissioning and Walking
7:00 PM – 9:30 PM ET
Library Plaza (outside)
Friday, May 5th
The School of Law Commissioning and Walking
9:00 AM – 11:30 AM ET
Library Plaza
The Robertson School of Government Commissioning and Walking
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM ET
Shaw Chapel
The College of Health & Behavioral Sciences* Commissioning and Walking
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM ET
Shaw Chapel
*This includes the School of Psychology & Counseling, School of Allied Health, and the School of Nursing.
The College of Arts & Sciences Commissioning and Walking
7:00 PM – 9:30 PM ET
Library Plaza
Students must obtain approval to participate.
All students must have completed all requirements toward graduation prior to participating in commencement. However, due to the uniqueness of some programs and the fact that there is only one commencement yearly, Regent provides the opportunity for students who have not completed all requirements to participate in commencement, if they meet the following criteria:
- Undergraduate students who have no more than three courses remaining for graduation. Students must be registered for these courses in the summer session. The coursework may include an internship or practicum experience, which can also be completed during the summer.
- Graduate students who have no more than two courses remaining for graduation. Students must be registered for these courses in the summer session. The coursework may include an internship or practicum experience, which can also be completed during the summer.
- Theses, dissertations, and portfolios must have been successfully defended or approved before the spring cut-off date (varies by school), with only final edits remaining.
Students approved to participate in commencement will be notified via email no later than March 17th, 2023
Once a graduation application has been submitted, the Registrar’s Office will conduct a detailed review. If everything is confirmed, they will post the degree and send an email notification to the student’s Regent email address. Students can also check their Genysis account for degree conferral information and view an unofficial transcript.
Important Notes:
- Degrees cannot be posted until after the term has ended and all final grades have posted.
- Degrees are usually posted within 6-8 weeks after all grades are received. The Registrar’s Office is aware that many students have deadlines for job applications, licensure, raises, etc. and will work to process degree paperwork as quickly as possible.
- Diplomas and certificates are ordered from a third-party vendor twice a month and generally arrive within six weeks after the order is placed. Graduates will receive an email when the diploma and/or certificate is mailed.
Regent University Announces Nikki R. Haley as 2023 Commencement Speaker
Nikki R. Haley, former governor of South Carolina and former ambassador to the United Nations, will be the keynote speaker at Regent University’s 43rd Commencement Ceremony on May 6, 2023.
“We are honored and thrilled to have Nikki Haley join us to celebrate our outstanding Class of 2023,” said Dr. M.G. “Pat” Robertson, founder, chancellor, and CEO of Regent University. “Haley has lived an accomplished life, with a fervent commitment to public service and her country. As a trailblazer, we know her words will inspire the next generation of Christian leaders to change the world.”
Ambassador Haley served for two years as the 29th United States ambassador to the United Nations and as the 116th governor of South Carolina from 2011 to 2017. Under Haley’s leadership, South Carolina’s economy flourished due to her recruitment of corporations, which resulted in the creation of 85,000 jobs and secured a record low unemployment rate.
Ambassador Haley was the first governor in America to sign legislation combatting the anti-Israel Boycott, Divest and Sanction, or “BDS”, movement. In 2015, Ambassador Haley forged unity and consensus in the wake of tragedy at Charleston’s Emanuel A.M.E. Church and the removal of the Confederate flag from South Carolina’s Statehouse grounds.
Ambassador Haley, the daughter of Indian immigrants, frequently attributes her success to hard work and the favor of God. She brings with her a wealth of knowledge that will enrich her remarks and inspire Regent’s Class of 2023 towards greatness.
“Ambassador Haley’s impressive journey in leadership enables her to share reflections with our graduates about what they may encounter as leaders in a challenging world,” said Dr. William L. Hathaway, executive vice president for Academic Affairs at Regent University. “Her experience is an invaluable example of what can be accomplished when you allow God to use your life for His glory.”
Commencement is the university-wide event that celebrates all graduates as a community. Graduates are able to experience special keynote messages from alumni, students, Dr. Robertson, and our featured speaker. Regent University views this ceremony as its most prized event.
Commissioning is an intimate occasion shared with fellow graduates, faculty, and distinguished individuals from a specific school of study. These events are centered around blessing our graduates.
No. Students can attend one, both, and none of these events.
If a student is graduating from multiple schools, they are eligible to attend more than one Commissioning.
Students can RSVP through their GENISYS account in the MyRegent portal. Select > Student Services > Commencement & Commissioning RSVPs to complete the prompts.
The deadline to RSVP for both events is Friday, April 14, 2023.
Oak Hall is Regent University’s personalized regalia provider. All students attending on-campus graduation events MUST have Oak Hall regalia. No other regalia is permitted.
Please visit https://regent.shopoakhalli.com/purchasewizard/Welcome to place your order.
We provide two options for regalia shipment. Students can have regalia shipped to their home directly or to Regent University for pick-up at designated times starting May 2023.
Orders that graduates request to be shipped to Regent University will be available to pick up on the following dates:
Wednesday, May 3 | 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Fountain View Room, Regent Ordinary (Student Center)
Thursday, May 4 | 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Fountain View Room, Regent Ordinary (Student Center)
Friday, May 5 | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Fountain View Room, Regent Ordinary (Student Center)
Graduates are strongly encouraged to pick up regalia prior to Saturday, May 6. However, regalia may also be picked up the morning of Commencement beginning at 8:00 AM at the regalia station near the student line-up.
- Photo ID will be required to collect regalia orders at the distribution center.
- Should you need someone other than yourself to collect your regalia order from our distribution center, please email registrar@regent.edu from your Regent University email address identifying the individual who has your permission for pick up. A photo ID will be required to authenticate.
- Graduates purchasing regalia on site should note that supplies are limited. All regalia should have been pre-ordered/purchased through Oak Hall.
- Payment for available emergency replacement items can be made by cash or card.
- It is recommended to order regalia as soon as possible.
- The ship to home deadline is April 14, 2023.
- The ship to Regent University deadline is March 24, 2023.
Students should contact the Registrar’s Office as soon as possible to communicate their regalia needs: registrar@regent.edu.
- All graduates are required to wear the designated Oak Hall “Green Weaver” cap and gown.
- Graduates may not alter or decorate their regalia – that includes caps.
- During the Commencement ceremony, dual and joint degree graduates should only wear the hood of the degree with which they are sitting.
- University approved Latin honor stoles (undergraduate students), military cords, recognized academic honor society cords, and student government leader cords are the only additional embellishment permitted to be worn at the ceremony. These embellishments are provided to eligible students by way of Regent University. Please contact the Registrar’s Office at registrar@regent.edu with your questions regarding approved cords.
- Graduates may not carry handbags, banners, placards, or similar accessories.
- Sunglasses and small cameras are permitted.
- Men wearing caps should remove them during prayer.
Regent University’s 2023 Commencement Ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 6, 2023, on the Virginia Beach campus, starting at 9:15 a.m. Graduates are asked to arrive on campus by 7:30 a.m. and to monitor their Regent email should additional details arise.
- Men should wear a shirt and tie – no jacket.
- Ladies should wear dresses or a skirt and blouse.
- Graduates should wear sensible shoes (flats or low wedges) to offset the lengthy amount of standing and walking (approximately ½ mile).
- Graduates and guests traveling to campus on Saturday, May 6, should plan to use the Centerville Turnpike entrance located near the Communication Building on the Campus Map.
- Graduates are urged to arrive by 7:30 a.m. to secure parking and prepare for the procession line up. Plan accordingly for traffic and delays.
- Graduates will need to be at their assigned line up location at the Administration Building (see Campus Map) no later than 8:00 a.m.
- Row assignments for Commencement will be provided upon arrival for line up.
- Row numbers will be posted on tall signs in front of the Administration Building.
- Upon arrival, report to the check-in table at the front of the Administration Building to receive your row number assignment.
- Graduates who have not checked in with their faculty marshal by 8:30 a.m. may be assigned to an alternate row by a staff member or faculty marshal.
- Commissioning ceremony guests should park in the parking lot closest to their scheduled event except for College of Arts & Sciences. For the Friday night commissioning, commissioning guests should plan to use the Centerville Turnpike entrance located near the Communication Building on the Campus Map and follow parking directions given by lot attendants.
- Graduates and guests traveling to campus on Saturday, May 6, should plan to use the Centerville Turnpike entrance located near the Communication Building on the Campus Map.
- Graduates are urged to arrive by 7:30 a.m. to secure parking and prepare for the procession line up. Plan accordingly for traffic and delays.
- Guests with disability related concerns can expect campus-wide accessibility services including assistance with transport from parking areas to services as well as communication accommodations. Handicap parking will be available on-campus by decal only. Guests with handicap decals should follow the signage and traffic direction to the handicap parking locations.
For ride sharing and other taxi and car services, use 5641 Indian River Road, Virginia Beach, VA as the address to our campus. This will direct the GPS to the Founders Inn, parking lot F.
There will be a shuttle picking up at the Founders Inn front door on commencement day which will bring all guests to the location of the ceremony. At exit time, please ensure your driver parks in parking lot F to wait for you; you may take the shuttle back to that parking lot. Drivers will not be allowed to drive onto the campus during exit time, but instead will be directed to all nearby exits.
Please allow additional time to get to campus via shuttle or by walking.
- The closest restrooms to the graduate line up area are in the Classroom Building, the Student Center, and the Administration Building.
- Commencement programs will be distributed to graduates prior to processing.
- Water bottles will be available to graduates during line up.
- HASHTAG: Use #RegentGrad23 and your photo, tweet, and more may appear on the big screen prior to the ceremony. Search #RegentGrad23 on social to see what others are posting.
Each school holds a Commissioning ceremony to honor graduates by degree program. Graduates are requested to view and RSVP to their Commissioning ceremony through their GENISYS account in the MyRegent portal. Additional information with further details will be sent from schools as the date approaches
Commissioning ceremonies will be held on Thursday and Friday, May 4 and 5, 2023.
There will not be a guest limit or need for tickets for the ceremonies.
Regent University is pleased to partner with Herff Jones to offer personalized graduation items. Please visit colleges.herffjones.com/college/ru/ for more information.
Your diploma will be ordered approximately 6-8 weeks following the semester in which all program requirements have been completed.
No, diplomas will be made available six to eight weeks following the term in which degree program requirements are completed.
Graduates will walk and have their names read during the Commissioning ceremonies on Thursday and Friday, May 4 and 5, 2023.
Regent University certainly recommends The Founders Inn & Spa, which is adjacent to the campus. Hotels in the Greenbrier area of City of Chesapeake offer excellent proximity and amenities, as well.
You will always have access to your Regent email even after you graduate. You will have access to the portal about one year from your graduation.
For undergraduate students, Latin Honors will be determined after the conclusion of Session C, and qualifying students will be contacted. Honor cords will be provided if the student is participating in graduation ceremonies. Please refer to the catalog for cumulative GPA requirements.
For students with disability related needs, accommodations will be offered for all commissioning and commencement services. Students requesting disability related accommodations should fill out the Graduation Accommodations Request form below no later than April 3rd, 2023. Documentation to support the request for accommodation should be submitted no later than April 24th, 2023.
Guests with disability related concerns can expect campus-wide accessibility services including assistance with transport from parking areas to services as well as communication accommodations. Handicap parking will be available on-campus by decal only. Guests with handicap decals should follow the signage and traffic direction to the handicap parking locations.
For any accommodation or accessibility questions or concerns, please email disabilities@regent.edu or call at 757.352.4485. One of our coordinators will be happy to connect with you and assist you.
GRADUATION ACCOMMODATIONS REQUEST FORM
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Commencement Regalia
Order Regalia for this year’s commencement ceremony. Learn where to order and get details about the cost.
Purchase your academic regalia through Oak Hall at https://regent.shopoakhalli.com/purchasewizard/Welcome.
Please note that only Oak Hall regalia may be worn by graduates for on-campus related commencement activities.
- Deadline to ship to home: April 14, 2023
- Deadline to ship to Regent: March 24, 2023
You are encouraged to select the ship-to-home direct option. The ship-to-Regent option may be most convenient for residential and international students.
**Orders that graduates request to be shipped to Regent University will be available to pick up on the following dates:
Wednesday, May 3; 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Fountain View Room, Regent Ordinary (Student Center)
Thursday, May 4; 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Fountain View Room, Regent Ordinary (Student Center)
Friday, May 5; 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Fountain View Room, Regent Ordinary (Student Center)
Graduates are strongly encouraged to pick up regalia prior to May 6. However, regalia may also be picked up the morning of Commencement beginning at 8 am at the regalia station near the student line-up.
Undergraduate regalia package (robe, cap, and tassel)
$30 plus shipping, handling, and tax.
Master’s regalia package (robe, cap, hood, and tassel)
$50 plus shipping, handling, and tax.
Specialist’s regalia package (robe, cap, hood, and tassel)
$50 plus shipping, handling, and tax.
Doctoral regalia package (robe, tam, hood, and tassel)
$87.00 plus shipping, handling, and tax.
Oak Hall offers a variety of shipping options. See the Oak Hall website for details.
How to Make the Most of Your Regent – Alum Status
Good News! You have an exceptional alumni community available to help you stay connected once you graduate. Here are two ways to stay engaged with Regent Royals around the world and stay up to date with what’s happening at the university.
- Follow us on social!
Find us on Facebook, Instagram, & LinkedIn by searching “@regentalumni”. You’ll find regular posts about university and alumni events, alumni achievements, and more! - Build your profile on the Regent Alumni Website – www.RegentAlumni.org
This is your one-stop hub for alumni business listings, class notes, spotlight stories, and details on your nearest alumni chapters.
If you’re local, we’d love for you to come to Regent events such as weekly chapels or theatre performances. Also, feel free to stop in to say hi in Administration Building Suite 128.
We welcome all our alums to email us anytime at alumni@regent.edu or call us at 888.294.2586. We’re here for you!
Graduation Keepsakes – Herff Jones
Through our partnership with Herff Jones, you can get your graduation announcements, class rings, and other keepsakes. To order any of these items just visit colleges.herffjones.com/college/ru/.
REGENT KEEPSAKES
Get your Regent University keepsakes like a 2023 Commencement T-shirt, alumni swag, class rings, and more!
Pre-order your exclusive 2023 Commencement T-shirt, listing the names of all the graduates confirmed through the Registrar’s Office.
https://www.thecommencementgroup.com/regent/
Shirts are white, standard unisex sizing, and 100% cotton.
Cost: $30 each, plus $4.99 shipping per order.
No order limit.
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You can also pre-order flowers and Teddy bears for pick up on Commencement Day!
Any gifts ordered through the site can be picked up on Saturday, May 6 at either of the Commencement Flowers tents. Gifts do not have to be pre-ordered, but supplies will be limited on Commencement Day.
Day-of purchases are first come, first serve.
If you are not planning to join us in person for the 2023 Commencement ceremonies, you can still order a shirt to be mailed to you. That link is available here:
https://www.thecommencementgroup.com/regenttees/
These are the same shirts as above, just available for direct mailing and will not be available for pick up at Commencement.
Hurry! Orders must be received by May 17, 2023.
Shirts will be delivered by early June.
Celebrate your accomplishment by purchasing your alumni gear and diploma frame.
Graduation Week Hours
| Monday, May 1, 2023 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday, May 2, 2023 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday, May 3, 2023 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Thursday, May 4, 2023 | 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. |
| Friday, May 5, 2023 | 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, May 6, 2023 | 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. |
| Sunday, May 7, 2023 | Closed |
Remember that, through the alumni partnership with Herff Jones, you can get your graduation announcements, class rings, and other keepsakes. To order any of these items just visit colleges.herffjones.com/college/ru/.
Other Commencement Resources
About to graduate and need to update your career development skills? As a Regent alumnus, you have access to coaches, premier online career assessments and job listings available through Handshake. Let us be a part of your continuing career journey! https://www.regent.edu/resources/center-for-student-happiness/career-services/
Upcoming Career Workshops – The Office of Career Services will offer virtual career workshops this summer. Please continue to check out our events page for updates.
Make an appointment on Handshake to meet with a Career Coach to go over your resume, cover letter, practice mock interviewing or update your LinkedIn profile to better stand out to employers.
We’re proud of your accomplishments and excited for all that is ahead for you. One of the best strategies for continued success is to commit to being a lifelong learner. Stay connected through social media, send updates to your schools and our alumni team, and, when you’re ready to explore additional certificates and degree opportunities, please reach out!
Did you know that all borrowers of Federal Student Loans are required to complete Exit Counseling when you graduate? Through an online session, you will learn your load repayment schedule, obligations, and rights to deferment and/or cancellation.
Student loan repayment has been substantially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the information contained in Exit Counseling is of heightened importance. We strongly recommend students carefully review the material presented to them in Exit Counseling, provide up-to-date information their loan servicers can use to communicate with them, and carefully monitor their loans through the Federal Student Aid website. Any changes regarding loan servicer points of contact for the borrower, the temporary pause on loan repayment, and the loan forgiveness program currently being reviewed by the courts will be provided to students online here.
To review the Exit Counseling requirement and complete your session, visit studentaid.gov. Speak with your academic advisor regarding any additional financial aid wrap-up questions. finaid@regent.edu | 757.352.4385
Regent University is proud to recognize the service and sacrifice of veterans and those currently serving in the U.S. military. One way we do this is by offering honor cords that may be worn at school commissioning ceremonies and commencement. These cords do not need to be ordered or purchased. If you are a graduating student and U.S. military active-duty service member, veteran, reservist, National Guardsman, or ROTC cadet or midshipmen, simply verify your current military status in Genisys through my.regent.edu to ensure you receive a cord. You may pick up your honor cord in the Welcome Center between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays or on commencement day starting at 6:30 a.m. If you are unable to attend commissioning and commencement, you may request that an honor cord be mailed to your home by sending an email with your first and last name, student ID, and complete mailing address to military@regent.edu.
If you are both a military dependent AND a military veteran or service member, you must note your eligibility status so that you are flagged for inclusion (A dependent-only status would not qualify for the cord.). We salute you for your service!
Any questions? Email the Military Resource Center at military@regent.edu.
To the Class of 2023, we love you, we are proud of you, and we are always cheering you on.
